PC Magazine reports that bookies at the Ladbrokes betting service give 1:4 odds that Nokia CEO Stephen Elop will be the next Microsoft CEO. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg comes in second place with 7:1 odds against, while Steven Sinofsky, previously head of the Windows division, comes in third at 12:1 odds against.

Without intending any disrespect, I can't imagine a worse choice for the next CEO than Mr. Elop. His blind fealty to Windows at Nokia cost the stock an 85% drop on his watch. Microsoft needs new directions and new ideas, not another Windows loyalist.

Elop did EXACTLY what he was supposed to do at Nokia. Who the f--k cares about Nokias stock price?

Of course he will be CEO, and he will be very, very good on the business side. The success of Microsoft now hinges on Elop's ability to find a sly technical right hand (Bill Gates was brilliant in both camps, but let's face it - that combination is as rare as the design/business savvy combination of Steve Jobs.)